Open Poetry #20 |
Nine Lives Drift |
ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
oh out on the street where the ladies are heady they walk an old walk they tell an old tale and the story's the same they're easy they're ready while crusing for tricks on the neon trail. it's a high horse night the chances are doubled some sad stories will come to an end it's risky and tough and riddled with trouble with drifters and grifters and johns never been. the lushes with lucre are strangers who make it roll'em to the palace where nine lives drift the scent of the hunt eroding their patience for the play at pleasures that they can dismiss. and nine lives drift over the canyons over the mountains and over the seas over the meadows and sparkling fountains over the rivers and through the trees into the caverns and into the trade winds into the hour glass falling and free. oh the night was set the play was rowdy young Gale was shick with diamonds and grit when a stranger relayed his desire to booty her place at the palace where nine lives drift. oh lay the bills down the hallways were humming and wine glasses clinked to the times and the night when in through the door burst four masked gunmen their gun barrels gleamed in the chandlier light. Gale's limp arm the stranger grabbed running she screamed as he pulled her through the fire escape. they fell to the street as they were gunning the ladies and johns in the lounge for their take. The gale held stranger chilled with the danger her body was wet and her nails dug sound away from the gory carnage that famed there they fled from death by devil's blood hounds. the sirens were wailing the palace was silent at the end of nine lives in a source blood red the scene through a desolate prism of violence was haunting the palace where nine lives drift. they walk an old walk they tell an old tale with a swan dive waiting to finish their shift but out in the country you can see Gale raising her children with eight lives to give. and nine lives drift over the canyons over the mountains and over the seas over the meadows and sparkling fountains over the rivers and through the trees into the caverns and into the trade winds into the hour glass falling and free. This is based on a true story from the archives of my Scottish English descent. Apparently the stranger took young Gale and married her and they lived happily for the rest of their lives. Her past never came up in all the years they were married...but the story was also told to me by my Scottish story telling Grandfather (Thyrle Foster) so the truth may be bent a little. The nine lives drift part is meant to describe how this age old business of prostitution seems to sift into every element of society like the mystic nature of the cat.....and so this ballad was also inspired by Al Srewart's song.... "The Year Of The Cat" This is a repost........... The role of poetry is to utter the un-utterable; to open up |
||
© Copyright 2002 Eric Lewis True - All Rights Reserved | |||
passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
Wow! What a story! Glad you reposted |
||
ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Thanks Passing glad you dropped in!! |
||
passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
I'm an "all-nighter". Poetry like this makes the night go by quick, thanks. |
||
Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Very interesting read...amazing the stories that can be given by one generation to another...and on and on... Sad is the story of these ladies who have led this life... But, so very true... |
||
Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
and nine lives drift over the canyons over the mountains and over the seas over the meadows and sparkling fountains over the rivers and through the trees into the caverns and into the trade winds into the hour glass falling and free. ============================= Your ryhmes ROCK!! so glad you reposted this gem of pen and tale of time gone by. and Im thinking theres a couple more reposts you need to do so all the new people can see your masterpieces I have them in my library in case you cant find them ( hint hint) haha (you know me...I dont give up) LOL Rock on poet man ... you know Im a fan When man is lead to arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations |
||
Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
(BIG HUGGGSSSSSS) Oh Eric, this is wonderful but so very sad, sweet friend, though I never heard of this story before, I have a partial Scottish heritage and it saddens me to see prostitution hurt many parts of society and go so far it hurts those who oppose it too! (sad sigh) This is powerfully striking, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Eric, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." Shakira [This message has been edited by Mistletoe Angel (06-05-2002 02:07 PM).] |
||
ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Magnus you're right....The stories do get passed down.....I think they're somewhat embellished though! Hey! That's what makes them such great stories....Thanks for reading this!! Janet....You're a doll I always love the way you critique my work. This was fun to write given the circumstances......Thank you so much my dear poet friend! Noah...... I sure appreciate you upbuilding comments thanks so very much for reading this! |
||
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Your title pulled me in for I spent most of the weekend searching for a friend... I fear his nine lives have drifted away... and he took part of my heart with him. This is an excellent story, ethome... I enjoyed it very much! *S* |
||
ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Suthern: I'm very sorry to hear that! Maybe things will work out for you yet...I hope so....Thanks for taking the time to read this! |
||
jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Great Story...I enjoyed every word! jwesley |
||
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ethome, I do not recall if I saw this before, it certainly seems "new" to me, so BLESS YOU for the repost...what a song... what a story... what a poet! |
||
⇧ top of page ⇧ | ||
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. |